25 Million New Malware Detected in 2009

In the recently released annual report for 2009, PandaLabs said that there were 25 Million pieces of new malware circulating on the Internet in 2009. In comparison to 15 Million strains that developed since 1980 (over the last 20 years), this figure showed a terrifying trend.

During 2009, attackers earned more money than in any earlier year. In fact, the number of malware crossed the mark significantly predicted in 2008.

This rise in malicious activities included numerous examples of banker trojans (around 66%) and a host of forged antivirus solutions (rogueware).

Rogueware was a burning issue in the year 2009. Though these applications have been circulating on the Net for many years, it was not until the commencement of 2008 that they started to be used on a big scale.

As per the PandaLabs report, the most vigorous rogueware family in 2009 was SystemSecurity, which accounted for 17.65% of total infections, followed by TotalSecurity2009 with 14.88%. This family possessed characteristics of destructive methods. It used those methods to compel users to purchase. This family is followed by SystemSecurity2009, with 12.75%, SystemGuard2009, with 10.40% and WinPcDefender, with 8.18%.

The report analyzed how every single country and region were influenced by malware during 2009. Taiwan occupied the first position, followed by Russia, Poland, Turkey, Colombia, Argentina and Spain. Portugal and Sweden were the countries with least infections.

Moreover, PandaLabs has estimated that the volume of malware in circulation will keep growing in 2010. Windows 7 is likely to be the preferred target of attackers when it comes to making new malware, and assaults on Mac will rise. The report also said that although there could be more politically aggravated attacks, this would surely not be the year of mobile phone virus.

The security experts said that if the exponential rise of malware taken into account, it was clear that the need for fine protection was as strong as ever, but it was also important to invest in guidance and education of users, who are still the major hurdle in the safety chain.